THE NEW YORKER rect correspondence between the words and the movement. However, not even Cunningham himself has managed to make them equal partners. Words al- ways dominate; arranged in nonsenS1- cal patterns, they still steal the atten- tion away from dance. (The relation- ship is like that of words to music. Most people identify a song's meaning through its lyric, not through its music. Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," for ex- ample, is a "happy" song, even though its music is a dirge.) Margaret Jenkins, a San Francisco-based choreographer who taught for many years at Cun- ningham's New York school, collabo- rates frequently wJth a poet, Michael Palmer. A voice-over, speaking words in several of the Jenkins pieces that were done recently at Westbeth, forced me to consider meanings that didn't seem to belong to the dances. ((About the Space in Between" had a text deal- ing with Ludwig Wittgenstein, but for me it was really "about" what the title declared it to be about. Jenkins has a keenly sculptural sense of negative space, which she often exploits choreo- graphically both in her own dancing and in that of the group. A void may appear, speaking volumes, only to be retracted, altered, or recharged by a solid shape. Jenkins dancers are firmly centered (centering to dancers and potters means the same thing), and though not especially wide in turnout, they have a powerful thrust from the inside of the thigh. The strong legs and strong, flexible feet are legacies from Cunningham, emphasized by Jenkins. Such emphases give these dancers a uniform non-eclectic tech- nique. The foremost mercist company on the West Coast, they appear to be specialists in a very special, insular sense Not that they're provincial; at least one piece, the epigrammatic "Vid- eosongs," would have made the repu- tation of any New York company. But both in the excessively brainy pieces and in the straitened technique there's a little too much hothouse conditioning. More New York appearances would be good for them and us. A very impressive sound accompani- ment to a couple of Cunningham's Events in his Roundabout series was devised by John Cage from his "Me- sostics re Merce Cunningham." The "Mesostics" (a variation on acrostics) are made of words, but they impinge on the ear as pure sound consisting of discrete syllables. Cage published his puzzle poems a few years ago, using within each one many different Letra- set typefaces and S1zes. He then used the typefaces and sizes as musical nota- 115 L ve chamber music is commonp ce grand ho els oughout E rope. And Bos on Tbe Co onnmle. . ì t 1f .', \ For a schedule of performances, write The Colonnade Hotel 120 Huntington AlV?llUe Boston, lWass 02116 For reservations call (617) 261-2800 or Loews Reservations fllc \ t 1<< "-::;' A j 4 t .j {} : ð. r) .y ' - y e At a tic separates us o eo her grand hotels A Distinguished Hotel represented by Robert F Warner, fnc S EC INTRO VCTO FFER N · S ECIAL IF[ Now it's easier than ever to give a loved one, valued business associate-'or yourself-the kind of gift at creates truly memorable dining,..a gift of Pfaelzer . ' " " :,' _ , gourmet meat. .,. ,', =- Its mouthwatering taste ..'. '. n. ,{ A m> and texture is legend among w ;:":"t: ,". .'" gourmets everywhere. ,<' ; . ", t, , And it is now available ' . jt \ ' d <I",,'\, . ' __ W'" 'x.-""'" "'" at the special introdw;tory price \ '^ /: * ' .,. , . "'.., ^ .. y of $24.95 for six of the six- J H .. '. ,...... ..<$ ounce Filet Mignon with a stick ^ ; . t '.' --L of Pfaelzer Seasoned Steak /. .}...' Butter pictured here. (Intro- ø ductory offer is limited to one order per customer of up to .: . '. ". . two cartons. Must be shipped to same address.) AddItIonal gIfts can be shipped at our regular price of $29.95. Carefully boxed and packe th plenty of dry .ice, it's unconditionally guaranteed to arrIve In perf ct condItIo!l. A personal greeting from you can be Included WIth your order at no extra cost. pfae lzer NY-12 We accept Diner's Club, American Express, .ROTHERS Visa and Master Charge and you may place your order by phone. Pfaelzer Brothers, 4501 West District Boulevard, ChIcago, Illinois 60632. TO ORDER A PFAELZER GOURMET GIFT OR CATALOG CALL, TOLL FREE, 800-621-0226, ANYTIME. Illinois residents call collect (312) 927-7100. ,.J>: ø ,..., ...y :. ...